Superstar Auckland Reactor asserted his superiority over New Zealand's pacers with victory in the $600,000

Auckland Cup (2700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday.

Auckland Reactor got back last from his number eight draw for his trainer-driver Mark Purdon as Monkey King and then Changeover took the lead.

However, Purdon took Auckland Reactor to the lead in a fast move with a round to go. They sprinted away from the field with 400m to run, and Purdon did no more than shake the reins at him in the straight.

Monkey King just got past Changeover on the line to take second place.

Auckland Reactor's trainer-driver Mark Purdon said the victory was one of his sweetest in his racing career.

"There's a lot of pressure and hype around a horse like him," he said.

"But he's such a great horse. I've given up being amazed."

Purdon said he'd always planned to go back at some stage and then loop the field.

"I was thinking of going around earlier but the pace really went on," he said.

"He had to do a little work to get to the lead and he was holding them well at the end. I didn't need to draw the stick."

It was Auckland Reactor's 20th win from 21 starts and took his earnings past $1 million.

Owned predominantly by a group of Canadians - including Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson - Auckland Reactor now heads to the Gold Coast in Australia on Sunday to prepare for the Interominion series, which starts on Friday. Wilson and his wife, Dr. Julie Yager, were present for the win.

Changeover, the New Zealand Cup winner, was subsequently disqualified and Awesome Armbro was promoted to third.

To watch the race, click here.

(NZPA)